Kodiak Deluxe question

[Stinger]

This past weekend I came across a Kodiak Deluxe at one of the booths at the Harrisburg Eastern Hunting & Fishing show.  I had never seen one before and picked it up.  It felt so nice in my hand.  Most of the 60's - 70's Kodiaks feel a little big to me and this just had a great feel.  I read all the threads on here that I could about the Kodiak Deluxe.  I just want to check to see if I got it right before I search for one.  If I understand correctly they were only made in 1961 and they have clear glass on them which tends to delaminate making most of the bows unshootable.  Is that correct?  This particular one was 47# at 28" and I think 64 in long.  It had a fair amount of stress marks running perpendicular to the limb on both sides of the limb but I didn't see any delamination or stress lines running parallel with the limbs.  I think they wanted $300 for it.

[johnnyrazorhead]

Sounds like a nice find.The price is fair too if the bow is in decent shape as you described.The Kodiak Deluxe and Kodiak Special Deluxe were actually offered by Bear in 1960.They were one of the most beautiful bows made by Bear in my opinion.The clear glass was a relatively new idea back then,and many of those bows tend to get a sort of milky,cloudy appearance on the limbs in certain areas.It is recommended that these bows not be shot due to the possiblity of the clear glass separating from the limb veneers although some guys do choose to shoot them.I guess it's a personal choice and a chance you take.I would suggest hanging that one on  the wall to admire it's beauty and find a regular 1960 Kodiak to shoot.Arguably one of th best shooting,best looking Bear bows ever to come out of Grayling.

[macclare]

I totally agree with Johnyrazorhead. Good advice.

[Stinger]

Is the handle portion of the riser on the 60 Kodiak the same as the Kodiak Deluxe?  The feel of the bow in my hand and the overall weight of the thing is what impressed me the most.  It looked good too, but I was more excited about the way it just fit me.  I'm sure you know what I'm talking about.  Some bows just glide into your hand and feel natural.

[TRAP]

I'm going to turkey hunt with a 60" 45# Kodiak Deluxe this coming Spring.  

I've shot hundreds and hundreds of arrows through it over the past couple years.  

I trust John and Gary's opinion. They have both been at this gig much longer than me, but sorry I just can't resist.  

Another theory is, many blew up due to delamination problems early in the game, but maybe the ones that have made it this long are okay.  

Fortunately the two I have, have no cloudiness in the limbs and seem very sound.

Trap

[TRAP]

Pretty snazzy turkey bow, dont ya think    

Trap

[MR BILL SHORTY]

TRAP I THINK YOU'LL BE ABLE TO STOP BIG BIRD IN HIS TRACKS WITH THAT ONE!!
BILL

[johnnyrazorhead]

Trap- That is one fine looking bow right there.I've known a few guys that shoot their Deluxes and like any of these old bows,some are sound and some,well maybe not so sound.
I can't knock anyone too much for shooting an old bow that "shouldn't" be shot for one reason or another.I'm shooting a 70 year old Grumley longbow that many guys think I should be put in a rubber room for doing.You know,can't leave all these old bows hangin' on a wall.

[d. ward]

I believe bear stopped the use of the clear glass for another reason.
It showed the stress cracks when they pulled the bows from the forms as many bows did.In the 1960's Bear Archery and lots of other archery tackle manufactures painted the limb surfaces prior to installation of the tip overlay because of imperfections in the fiberglass.Bear Pearson Wing just to name a few manufactures that painted the limb surface on some bows.They used spray paint mixed with the same color same color toners as used in the fiberglass resin(works great I might add).I would be willing to bet that someone reading this thread owns a Bear bow with the limb surfaces painted.You'll know it for sure when compaired side by side with one that has not been painted.You will NOT see the strands of fiber in the painted models.Sorry I drug this out but at any rate there was no way to paint the limbs and hide the stress cracks on the clear glass models bd

[4runr]

Beautiful bow Trap!!